Mangalore: City gets a taste of US with 'Experience America'

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Mar 1: 'Experience America', a unique programme organized by the US consulate general, Chennai with a view to strengthen relations between US and India, was inaugurated at St Aloysius College here on Friday March 1.

Judy Reinke, minister counselor for commercial affairs inaugurated the programme along with other dignitaries on the dais, while Fr Francis Almeida, vice-principal of the college presided.

David Gainer, public affairs officer, Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor of Manipal University, Shanna Surendra, cultural affairs officer, and Dr Rose Veera, co-ordinator shared the dais.

Addressing the gathering, Judy Reinke said, "The US consulate decided to organize a programme in the city because we see US-India relations are strong and we believe that making connections with educational institutions, smart entrepreneurs, businesses is the best way to connect the two democratic countries."

She further said, "The partnership between the two countries dates back to generations. The two-way exchange of entrepreneurs, students, professors and scientists has benefitted both the countries to a great extent and has served as a model for others around the world."

The main aim of this programme is to share information about American culture, business, travel, study visa and so on.

Adding further, she said the US-India educational foundation is a key resource in learning about higher education in the US. In  2011-12, Education USA reached out to about 13,000 students with information on higher education in the United States.

David Gainer in his address said 'Experience America' is here to promote deeper and wider relationships and mutual understanding between the people of two countries. "We at US consulate general organize programmes in this direction," he said.

"The consulate general also has an electronic resource for library  called ‘The American Library’ where thousands of books, journals and magazines are available on American politics, history, economy, international relations and others," he said asking students to make best use of it.

The two-day ‘Experience America’ programme in the city will showcase several leading American companies and food outlets, feature speech and quiz contests, music and debate competitions, seminars on higher education, visas, tourism, business investment opportunities in US and several others.